An independent record label that I have researched is Rough Trade founded by Geoff Travis in 1978. Its started as a small music shop that grew and grew as they gained respect and audiences attention within the music industry. One of the main reasons why Rough Trade became so successful was that they targeted individual audiences and released unique music. This small audience gradually grew into a larger audience as the music started to appeal to a variety of people. The label originally specialised in European post-punk and other alternative rock bands which was different to what the other major record labels were releasing in the late 1970s.
Towards the end of 1979 a number of bands well-known to be with Rough Trade Records started to release successful albums such as Scritti Politti and The Raincoats. The success of the label which was now distributing many products from independent record labels was growing far to big for its small premises. This resulted in them having to move and so in December 1980 the label moved to Blenheim Crescent. Soon they signed the legendary 'The Smiths' which brought the label into a whole new direction in 1983 and explored onto the main steam music. However the success of 'The Smiths' eventully got to much for the label to handle and in 1991, the label and rights to the name Rough Trade were sold off in attempt to pay of distribution debts. After making through bankrupcy, Rough Trade was eventully relunched in 2000 porducing some of the most successful artists in the music industry such as Duffy. Who has become a senstional success and enabled Rough Trade to get back on it's feets.
Some of the bands which are signed to Rough Trade are:
BabyshamblesDuffy
The Libertines
The Raincoats
Scriiti Politti
The smiths
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